i buy Best stuff, and return it if i don't like it or it explodes....

they've been cool about it so far.... i've kept more stuff than i've returned, but the 30-day free return deal is pretty useful.

I dont have much opportunity to test, but honestly, I dont see much difference from kite to kite to really say one is "better" than another. I buy based on the best price I can get for the given size and features. I have a quiver of many brands.

So, choice comes down to money and service, not nitpicking performance, since, like mentioned above, you arent going to learn much on a demo day. Basically if you ride well, then you think the kite rocks, and if you dont, then you think the kite sux. i have gotten some good deals in shops, from sellers on the internet, and from BEST. Best's return policy is a key factor in my doing business with them. You cant lose by trying their stuff!!!

Hey Tobby,

Actually the test read "do you test before you buy"... where I have to say No...

But at the question "do you WANT" I would definetely say YES !!!

Well, the answers will be very different !!!

Yes, always. The marketing dept. of some brands tell a lot of nice stories.
Better be safe than sorry, I prefer to test first !

Not a lot of demos available in this area, so I usually have to buy first - but only after extensive research online.

It would be better to test beforehand, but very few shops/brands have every kite in every size available for demo.

I would love to be albe to try before buying but you can imagine it is pretty difficult to test fly a kite here specially if there are no shops!!!!

It would make sense. I do it sometimes but there seems to always be something in the way:
-no wind
- too much wind
- good wind, just get my trustworthy gear and go kiting, not going to bother, not a minute to loose
-no time
For boards:
Just try having feet size 48 (13 US); wind, boards, and yourself are finally on the same spot. Where is that bloody screw driver? I need to fix the straps! Fuck it I am going kiting ( with my own board of course )

I'm a beginner, so I wouldn't know good from bad anyway.
Had to decide using the following rationale

What are others here using?
What does the nearest good dealer sell and support?
Has the brand a good reputation?
Will it have a secondhand value?
And then I crossed my fingers.

Beginners, don't try! Spare your mate's gear, please.
Forget rationale!
Just be a fashion victim! pick the nicest colour and coolest graphics! That's number one.
If you don't know shit anyway, that's worth at least as much as the rest. that's how I picked my first set of kites, the colours were wicked! And it went all fine.

Very few opportunities to test before I buy. Generally, I rely on forums like Kiteforum to get reviews from users before I decide.